Retrievable well packer

ABSTRACT

A longitudinally releasably retrievable well packer with a packing seal member surrounding a mandrel having a body slidably engaging the mandrel and a housing slidable relative to the body and the mandrel with releasable engaging means between the housing and the mandrel, and a longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the housing for unlocking and locking the releasable engaging means and coacting means between the body and the locking means for actuating the locking means thereby providing a packer release assembly unaffected by packer seal tightness or upward forces on the tubing below the packer which allows tandem packers to be released one at a time. A shearpin movable in an annular and a longitudinal slot between the body and the housing for releasing the packer by an upward force or by a combination of rotation and upward force. A key and an elongated longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween and a key and an elongated longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween for transmitting rotational and longitudinal movement to the mandrel after releasing the packer. An integral circulation valve which can be opened and closed by a tubing manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the packer.

United States Patent [72] Inventors James H. Current;

Harry C. Ehlert; Marion D. Kilgore, all of Houston, Tex. [21] Appl. No. 8,468 [22] Filed Feb. 4, 1970 [45] Patented Sept. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Camco,lnc.

Houston, Tex.

[54] RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER 23 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.1.8. Cl 166/120, 166/131, 166/240 [51] lint. Cl "E2lb 23/06, E2lb 23/04, E2lb 33/128 [50] Field of Search 166/120, 118, 131, 129, 134, 240

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,236,309 2/1966 Conrad 166/134 X 3,391,740 7/1968 Edwards 166/120 3,416,609 12/1968 Ki1gore..... 166/134 X 3,422,899 1/1969 Brown 166/129 3,456,723 7/1969 Current et a1 166/120 Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Altornys-lames F. Weiler, Jefferson D. Giller, William A.

Stout, Paul L. Deverter, 11, Dudley R. Dohle, Jr. and Henry W. Hope ABSTRACT: A longitudinally releasably retrievable well packer with a packing seal member surrounding a mandrel having a body slidably engaging the mandrel and a housing slidable relative to the body and the mandrel with releasable engaging means between the housing and he mandrel, and a longitudinally actuated releasably locking means connected to the housing for unlocking and locking the releasable engaging means and coacting means between the body and the locking means for actuating the locking means thereby providing a packer release assembly unaffected by packer seal tightness or upward forces on the tubing below the packer which allows tandem packers to be released one at a time. A shearpin movable in an annular and a longitudinal slot between the body and the housing for releasing the packer by an upward force or by a combination of rotation and upward force. A key and an elongated longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween and a key and an elongated longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween for transmitting rotational and longitudinal movement to the mandrel after releasing the packer. An integral circulation valve which can be opened and closed by a tubing manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the packer.

RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to various improvements in a well packer, preferably in a retrievable packer having twoway slip means, which withstand high differential pressures and/or forces from above and below and which can be released by an upward force on the tubing string.

While longitudinally pull releasing-type well packers are not new, the present invention is directed to various improvements therein. Heretofore, the releasing force required to release a packer was frequently a function of the amount of force in the packing seal at the time of releasing and/or the forces induced in the seal due to pressure differentials on the packer at the time of releasing. The present invention provides a packer which will release at a substantially predetermined load regardless of the forces in the packing seal means.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a releasing mechanism which can be released solely by an upward force on the tubing string or by a combination of tubing rotation and an upward force.

In addition, conventional shear release-type packers are prone to premature release, particularly when used in tandem packer installations, where the upward forces on the tubing string below the packer may exceed the force required to release the packer. The improved releasing packer of the present invention isolates the release assembly from the forces exerted on the packer thereby reducing the risk of prematurely releasing the upper packer. Furthermore, the present invention in the packer releasing means allows tandem packers to be released one at a time rather than all simultaneously.

Heretofore, packers having two-way slip means have been released by pulling the upper cone from beneath the upper portion of the slip. If the lower cone does not fall out from beneath the lower portion of the slips, pulling the slips off of the cone when the slip teeth are deeply embedded in the easing can result in excessive pulling loads and may result in breakage. The present invention is directed to an improved well packer which can pull the upper cone from beneath the slips and includes means for pushing the lower cone from beneath the slips to fully release the slips from the casing.

The present packer also provides other improvements including means to transmit torque, weight, or tension through the packer after it has been released, and to provide an integral circulation valve which can be opened and reclosed by tubing manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the packer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One feature of the present invention is to provide an im proved releasing assembly in a retrievable well packer by providing a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel with a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packer seal means with releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel, and releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the engaging means, and coacting means between the body and the locking means for releasing the locking means and thus the engaging means thereby providing a releasable mechanism which is independent of the forces on the packer seal means, and which is unaffected by forces on the tubing from below the packer, and in which the releasing assembly allows tandem packers to be released one at a time.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a packer releasing mechanism which allows release solely by an upward force on the tubing string or by a combination of tubing rotation and upward force.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a longitudinally actuated releasing well packer wherein the releasing mechanism is reengageable and in which a packer having two-way slip means may be released by moving both the lower and the upper cones away from the slips when releasing the packer.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a longitudinally actuated or a combination of rotational and longitudinally actuated releasable retrievable packer having a plurality of keys and elongated longitudinal keyways to allow longitudinal movement without releasing the packer, but after the packer is released allow either torque, upward or downward motions to be transmitted through the released packer to equipment below the packer.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an integral circulation valve on a retrievable longitudinally actuated packer which can be opened and reclosed by tubing manipulation after the packer is set without releasing the packer.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of bypass means above the packer which allows circulation through the packer after the packer has been released so as to prevent swabbing during retrieval.

Yet a further feature of the present invention is the provision of a hydraulically set retrievable packer having two-way slip means which will sustain high differential pressures and/or forces from above or below but which can be released by an upward force on the tubing string.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a circulating valve well packer having a body slidably engaging the upper end of the packer mandrel and a housing slidable relative to the body and the mandrel with a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel and seal means between the body and the mandrel and above the bypass with a first shear means in one of the body and housing and an annular slot. and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot with both slots in the other of the body, and the housing for slidably receiving the first shear means with the longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the first shear means, and a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing with the keyway being of a width such that when the key is positioned against one side of the keyway the first shear means is aligned with the longitudinal slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of the upper portion of the present invention with the parts in position as the packer is being lowered into the well bore,

FIG. 1B is a continuation of FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C is a continuation of FIG. 18,

FIG. 1D is a continuation of FIG. 1C,

FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the well packer of the present invention in position as the packer is being run into the well bore,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the well packer in the set position,

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the body of the present invention showing the relationship between the shearpins and locking pins while the packer is in the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view, in cross section, illustrating the well packer of the present invention in set position with the bypass valve open,

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the body of the well packer of the present invention showing the shearpins and locking key in position as shown in FIG. 4, and

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view, in cross section, illus trating the packer of the present invention in its released position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will be described, for convenience, as applied to the hydraulic set well packer described in US. Pat.

No. 3,456,723 as it has certain advantages in combination with that particular packer, although it is to be understood that the present invention may be utilized with any suitable type packer.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1A to 1D, the packer of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10, and is shown being lowered into position by a pipe or running in string 12 in a conduit such as a casing 14 in a well bore. In order to actuate the packer by hydraulic fluid, a suitable plugging tool (not shown) is connected to the lower end of the packer 10 to block the bottom so that hydraulic presure may be applied therein.

The packer 10 includes the usual packer seal means or packer seal generally indicated by the numeral 18 and a slip assembly generally indicated by the numeral 20, both of which are shown in their retracted positions in FIGS. 1B through 1D and FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 1D, the packer 10 also includes a mandrel 22, which for convenience includes an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26 secured together, and an internal passageway 28 in communication with the running in string 12 for receiving hydraulic fluid to set the packer and includes at least one port 30 for passage of the hydraulic pressure for setting the slip assembly and the packer seal means 18.

A lower slip cone 54 is provided secured to the mandrel 26 and. positioned against the lower end of the slips 74 of the slip assembly 20. A hydraulically actuated slip-expanding means which includes slip-setting sleeve 56 is provided above the slip assembly 20 and includes an upper movable slip cone 58 and a piston 60 defined by seals 62 and 64 which is exposed to hydraulic pressure in a chamber 31 which communicates with port 30 for actuation of the piston 60 for expanding the slip assembly 20 outwardly and into engagement with the casing 14.

A hydraulically actuated packer seal expanding means, includes packer seal setting sleeve 44, the upper end 46 of which is positioned adjacent the bottom of the seal means 18, and the lower end of which is provided with a piston 48 formed between seals 50 and 52. The piston 48 is exposed to hydraulic pressure in the chamber 31 for movement upwardly against the packer seal means 18 for setting the seal.

A one-way clutch 66 is provided between the sleeve 56 and the sleeve 44 allowing downward movement of the sleeve 56 when hydraulic pressure is applied to the piston 60 to allow the slip assembly 20 to expand outwardly and to allow the sleeve 44 to move upwardly relative to the sleeve 56 for preventing upward movement of the sleeve 56 relative to the sleeve 44 thereby locking the slip assembly 20 in its expanded position. A one-way clutch 53 is provided between the sleeve 44 and the mandrel 24 allowing movement upwardly of the sleeve 44 to expand the packer seal 18, but preventing downward movement of the sleeve 44 thereby locking the packer seal 18 into an expanded position when actuated.

Thus, with hydraulic pressure applied through the pipe 12 to the passageway 28, hydraulic fluid will flow through the port 30 and be applied against both of the opposing pistons 48 and 60. A first releasable holding means such as a shearpin 68 is provided connected between the slip-setting sleeve 56 and the seal-setting sleeve 44 to prevent actuation of the slipsetting sleeve 56 until a predetermined hydraulic-setting pressure has been applied after the packer has been desirably positioned in the well conduit 14. A second releasable holding means or shearpin 70 is provided between the seal-setting sleeve 44 and the releasing sleeve 36 to prevent actuation of the sleeve 44 until a predetermined hydraulic pressure has been applied in the chamber 31. The shearpin 68 shears first allowing the slip-setting sleeve 56 to move downwardly carrying the upper slip cone 58 to expand the slip assembly 20 into setting engagement with the conduit 14. The shearpin 70 is then sheared allowing upward movement of the seal-setting sleeve 44 to compress and displace the seal means 18 and expand the packer seal means outwardly into a sealing relationship with the conduit 14. The packer 10 is shown in its set position in FIG. 3. The above named description and operation is generally shown in US. Pat. No. 3,456,723.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the releasing assembly is generally indicated by the numeral and generally includes a body 82, a housing 84, releasably engaging means 86 connected between the housing 84 and the mandrel 22 and releasable locking means 88 for locking and releasing the engaging means 86. Thus, the body 82 is adapted to be connected to the tubing string 12 and slidably and telescopically engages the mandrel 22 by seals 90 to normally seal off the interior 28 of the packer 10. The body 82 includes a bypass opening 92 which in the running in position is closed by the seals 90. The seal 94 between the body 82 and the housing 84 prevents debris from entering the releasing mechanism.

The body 82 is, in its running in position, maintained in a fixed position relative to the housing 84 by a primary shearpin 96 and a secondary shearpin 98 as best seen in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 2A. Thus the shearpin 96 is in one of the housing 84 and the body 82, here shown as in the housing 84, and extending into an annular groove 100 in the body 82 which is in communication with a longitudinal slot 102 which will be more fully described hereinafter. The secondary shearpin 98 is in a slot 104 and prevents relative rotational movement between the body 82 and the housing 84 and the pin 96 prevents longitudinal movement between the body 82 and the housing 84.

The lower end of the housing 84 abuts the upper end of the packer sealing means 18 and is initially prevented from longitudinal movement by the releasable engaging means 86, here shown as ratchets which are keyed to the housing 84 and have teeth 106 which coact with teeth 108 on the mandrel 22. Initially, a releasable locking means 88 such as a wedgeshaped ratchet lock is positioned, as best seen in FIGS. 18 and 2, between the back side of the ratchet 86 and the interior of the housing 84 to keep the ratchet teeth 106 in engagement with the teeth 108 on the mandrel 22. The releasable locking means or ratchet lock is releasably and initially connected to the housing 84 such as by a shearpin 110. The parts are initially positioned as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, causing the housing 84 to be rigidly locked to the mandrel 22, and thus the packer sealing means 18 may be compressed against the lower end of the housing 84 and expanded into sealing position as previously indicated. The coacting taper surfaces 112 on the ratchet lock 88 and 114 on the ratchet 86, respectively, are selected so as to cause a slight upward force on the ratchet lock 88 due to a large upward force on the housing 84 relative to the mandrel 22 after the packer is set. The shear force for the shearpin is set at a value greater than the possible upward force on the housing 84 but less or equal to the practical minimum releasing force for a packer of this general type, for example, 9,000 to 12,000 pounds. In addition, the surface 1 12 on the ratchet lock 88 is provided with a bevel angle slightly greater than a sticking taper.

Coacting means between the body 82 and the releasing locking means 88 such as coacting shoulder 116 on the body 82 FIG. 1B) and the shoulder 118 on the ratchet lock 88 are provided for releasing the ratchet lock 88. Thus on upward movement of the body 82 relative to the housing 84 the coacting shoulder 116 will move into engagement with shoulder 1 18 for shearing the shearpin 110 and pulling the ratchet locks 88 from behind the ratchets 86 thereby allowing theratchets 86 to become disengaged from the mandrel 22 for releasing the packer.

However, it is desirable that the packer releasing mechanism 80 to be releasable either by an upward force on the tubing string 12 or by a combination of tubing rotation and upward force on the tubing string 12. For example, in a deep installation where high tubing stresses can develop, a high shear value the straight pull releasing mechanism must be used to prevent premature releasing, but at the same time must not be set at a value which will require the tubing to be over stressed at the time of releasing. If the combination of the surface pipe load and the packer shear release load exceed the safe tensional load of the uppermost joint of tubing 12 than an alternate rotational release mechanism is desirable. On the other hand, the tubing 12 in many applications may be difficult to rotate and a shear pull release of the packer is desirable.

Thus when it is desired to release the packer from the casing 14 solely by a straight longitudinal pull, an upward pull is taken on the tubing string 12 causing the lower shoulder of the annular groove 100 to bear against and shear the pin 96. The body 82 then moves upward moving the seals 90 past the upper end of the mandrel 22 effecting pressure equalization from the passageway 28 to the tubing 14 through the passageway 92.

Further upward movement of the tubing 12 raises the body 82 longitudinally shearing the pin 110, pulling the ratchet locks 88 from behind the ratchets 86 thereby allowing the packing seal means 18 to retract and move the body 84 upwardly overcoming the garter spring 120 which normally keeps the teeth 106 on the ratchets 86 engaged with the teeth 108 on the mandrel 22 and move the ratchets 86 upwardly. Further upward movement of the body 82 relative to the housing 84 will cause engagement between coacting shoulders 122 on the body 82 and 124 on the housing 84 (FIGS. 1A and 5) to further move the housing 84 upwardly to allow the packer seal means 18 to further retract and to move the sleeve 36 upwardly for disengaging the slip assembly 20.

In addition, the releasing mechanism 80 can be released by a combination of rotational and longitudinal movement without requiring that shearpin 96 be sheared. Thus the tubing 12 and thus the body 82 may be rotated to shear the secondary shearpins 98 allowing the shearpins 96 to rotate in the annular groove 100, as best seen in FIG. 4A. After pin 96 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 102, an upward pull is taken on the tubing 12 and body 82. Since the longitudinal extent of slot 102 is greater than the distance required to retract the wedge locks 88 from behind the ratchet locks 86, shoulders 116 and 118 will move into engagement for shearing the shearpins 1 and pull the ratchet locks 88 from behind the ratchets 86 thereby releasing the packer, all without shearing the pin 96.

The ratchets 86 may be reengaged and locked by a downward movement of the body 82 which will bring coacting shoulder 126 on the body 82 and shoulder 128 on the ratchet locks 88 into engagement (FIG. 1A) to force the beveled end of the ratchet locks 88 again behind the ratchets 86 to again engage the threads 106 and 108 to allow a downward force to be exerted on the mandrel 22 and thus on equipment positioned below the packer 10.

The bypass passageway 92 (FIGS. 1A and 4) in the body 82 may be opened and closed without releasing the packer 10 for providing fluid flow between the casing 14 and the interior 28 of the packer. Thus, the tubing 12 and thus the body 82 may be rotated to shear the secondary shearpins 98 allowing the primary shearpin 96 to rotate in the annular groove 100, as best seen in FIG. 4A. After pin 96 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 102, an upward pull is taken on the tubing 12 and body 82, as best seen in FIG. 4, to raise the seals 90 on the body 82 above the upper end of the mandrel 22 allowing fluid communication between the casing 14 and the interior 28 of the packer 10 through the passageway 92. It is to be noted in FIG. 4 that while the body 82 is moved upwardly the shearpins 110 are not sheared and thus the packer is not released. Of course, the circulation valve passageway 92 may be omitted.

A locking key 130 and an elongated keyway 132 is positioned between the housing 84 and the body 82 and is shown as the key 130 being in the housing 84 and the keyway 132 being in the body 82. As best seen in FIG. 4A, when the locking key 130 is positioned against one side of the slot 132 the primary shearpin 96 is aligned with the longitudinal slot 102 and thus the locking key 130 acts as an indexing key. In addition, it is noted that the keyway 132 is elongated with respect to the locking key 130 and thus longitudinal upward movement of the body 82 for actuating the bypass valve 92 is provided. Also, after release of the packer, rotational movement may be transmitted from the tubing 12 through the body 82, keyway 132 and locking key 130 to the housing 84 and through a second key 134 and elongated keyway 136 to transmit torque to the mandrel 22 and thus to equipment positioned below the packer 10.

In use, and referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the parts are shown in their running in position with the packer seal means 18 retracted and the slip assembly 20 retracted and in the releasing assembly 80, the ratchet locks 88 are positioned behind the ratchets 86 locking the housing 84 to the mandrel 22. The packer 10 is lowered to the desired setting location in the conduit 14 and pressure is applied down the tubing string 12 into the internal passageway 28 of the packer and through port 30 into the chamber 31 and applies a hydraulic force against the opposing packer seal-setting piston 48 and the slip-setting piston 60. Upon a predetermined hydraulic pressure, shearpin 68 shears allowing the slip-setting piston 60 to move downwardly moving the upper slip cone 58 toward the lower slip cone 54 and moving the slips 74 out into a gripping relationship with the interior wall of the conduit 14. Once the slip assembly 20 is set, further downward movement of the slipsetting assembly is prevented and the shearpin 70 shears allowing the packer seal setting piston 48 to move upwardly and the seal-setting sleeve 74 pushes the packer seal means 18 against the lower end of the housing 84 which is fixed and locked to the mandrel 22 through the ratchets 86 to set the packer seal 18 into a sealing relationship with the conduit 14. The packer is shown in the set position in FIG. 3.

During the running in operation of FIG. 2 and the setting operation of FIG. 3, and referring to FIG. 2A, the positions of the shearpins 96 and 98 and of locking key 130 in the slots 100, 104 and 132, respectively, are best seen. Since the shearpin 96 is out of alignment with the longitudinal slot 102 and shearpin 98 is in slot 104 longitudinal upward and downward movement and rotational from the body 82 is transmitted through the packer 10.

It is to be noted that after the packer 10 is set as shown in FIG. 3, that pressure differentials either above or below the packing means 18 will not cause any relaxation of the seal 18 and any weight imposed upon the running in string 12 either in tension below the shear valve of pins 96 or in compression will not cause the seal 18 to relax and leak. In particular, it is also noted that any forces applied to the packer seal or applied to the tubing from below the packer does not affect the releasing mechanism as the relationship between the housing 84, the ratchet locks 88 and the ratchets 86 remains unaffected by external forces. Thus, an upward force on the tubing 12 below the packer transmitted to the mandrel 22 will not actuate the shear release pins 110 as the release mechanism is isolated and thus there is no risk of prematurely releasing packer 10 as in some conventional shear release-type packers.

I-Ieretofore, separate valve devices have been run above hydraulic set packers to facilitate displacing well fluids after setting the packer, which devices often require special tools and skills. The present packer 10 provides as an optional feature an integral circulation valve which can be opened and closed by manipulating the running in string 12 after the packer 10 is set, all without releasing the set packer. Thus the valve bypass opening 92 will be opened to the position as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a right-handl rotation of the running in string 12 is transmitted to the releasing assembly 80 shearing shearpin 98 and rotating the annular slot relative to the shearpin 96. Thus failure of the shearpin 98 allows the body 82 to rotate to the right until the locking key 130 bears against the side of the elongated keyway 132 as best seen in FIG. 4A. When the locking key 130 is in this position, the longitudinal slot 102 is oriented and aligned with respect to the shearpin 96 and an upward pull on the tubing string 12 less than the shear value of the shearpins will allow the body 82 to move upwardly allowing the seals 90 to clear the upper end of the mandrel 22 thus establishing communication between the interior of the tubing and the casing through the bypass passageways 92, all without releasing the packer. The circulation valve may be closed by merely slacking off weight on the tubing string 12 and torquing to the left to reengage the primary shearpin 96 in the annular groove 100.

As previously indicated the packer can be released solely by a longitudinal movement or by a combination of rotational and longitudinal movement without requiring that shenrpins 96 be longitudinally sheared. in order to release the packer solely by longitudinal movement. an upward pull is taken on the tubing string 12 causing the lower shoulder of the annular groove 100 to move against the bottom of the primary shearpins 96 to shear them at a predetermined value allowing the body 82 to move upwardly and simultaneously affecting pressure and fluid equalization from the tubing to the casing through the bypass opening 92 as the seals 90 in the body 82 clear the upper end of the mandrel 22. Further upward movement of the body 82 causes shoulder 116 on the body 82 to engage the shoulder 118 on the ratchet lock shearing pins 110 thus allowing the ratchet locks 88 to be retracted from behind the ratchets 86. Further upward movement of the body 82 will cause shoulder 122 on the body to engage shoulder 124 on the housing 84 which transmits an upward force to the body 84 and to the ratchets 86. This upward force, in addition to the residual force remaining in the packing seal 18 will cause the radially expandable segmented ratchets 86 to spring outwardly against the restraining force of the garter spring 120 (FIG. 1B) and allow the ratchets 86 to move upwardly relative to the mandrel 22. Further upward movement of the housing 84 will carry releasing sleeve 36 upwardly which will engage the packer seal-setting sleeve 44 which in turn will engage and carry the slip-setting sleeve 56 upwardly to move the setting cone 58 away from the lower cone 54 allowing the slips 74 to be retracted from engagement with the interior wall of the conduit 14. Simultaneously, the mandrel 22 and the lower cone 54 are free to move downwardly thereby totally releasing the slips 74 from the casing.

The releasing mechanism 80 can be released without requiring the tubing 12 to be pulled with a sufficient force to shearpin 96. Thus tubing 12 and body 82 may be rotated to shear the pin 98 and rotate the body 82 until the locking key 130 bears against the side of the keyway 132, as best seen in FIG. 4A, whereby the longitudinal slot 102 is oriented and aligned with respect to shearpin 96 and an upward pull is taken on the body 82. The shoulders 116 and 118 will contact and shearpins 110 releasing the ratchet locks 88 and allowing the locks 88 to be retracted from behind the ratchets 86 without shearing pin 96 because of the longitudinal extent of slot 102. The remainder of the releasing action is the same as described above in the case of release solely by longitudinal actuation.

Should the lower cone 54 not retract and fall away from beneath the lower portion of the slips 74, as might occur in the case of a tandem installation, an attempt to pull the slips off of the lower cone when the slip 74 teeth are deeply embedded in the casing 14 can result in excessive pulling loads and possible failure. Therefore, should the lower cone 54 not retract, an additional downward force on the lower cone 54 may be exerted by slacking off weight on the tubing string 12 and the shoulder 126 on the body 82 will contact the shoulder 128 on the ratchet locks 88 causing the ratchet locks to move downwardly behind the ratchets 86 bringing the ratchets into reengagement with the mandrel 22 thereby transmitting a downward force to the mandrel 22 and the lower cone 54 to remove the lower cone 54 by positive action from beneath the slips 74.

It is also to be noted that after reengagement of the ratchet locks 88 behind the ratchets 86 and after the packer has been released that equipment below the packer may be manipulated by either rotational or upward or downward longitudinal motions from the body 82 to the mandrel 22 through the locking key 132, the key 134 and the ratchets 86.

It is to be noted that the releasing mechanism 80 will consistently release at a predetermined load depending primarily upon the strength of the shearpin 110 and thus is not affected by the tightness of the seal 18 against the conduit 14, which will vary with the amount of force remaining in the seal at the time of releasing and the forces induced therein due to pressure differentials on the seal 18. Furthermore, it is noted that actuation of the releasing mechanism by the upward longitudinal pull on the tubing string does not move the mandrel 22 and thus the packer 10 may be utilized in a tandem puclter installation where several packers are net in the conduit 14 one below the other and In which the present packer allows the tandem packers to be released one at a time rather than all simultaneously.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal means, slip means surrounding said mandrel, and means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising:

a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and siidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,

a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,

releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel,

releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and

coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

coacting shoulder means between the body and the housing for retracting the housing from the packing seal means upon a predetermined longitudinal movement between the body and the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the body and housing together.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel,

seal means between the body and the mandrel above the shear means in one of the body and the housing, and

a longitudinal slot in the other of the body and housing for siidably receiving the shear means, said slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the shear means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

pin means on one of the body and the housing,

an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for siidably receiving the pin means, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means for releasing the locking means before the pin reaches the lower end of the iongitudinal slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including,

shear means in one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the pin in the annular slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing release of the packing seal means without longitudinally moving the mandrel.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 including,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel for transmitting motion to the mandrel.

10. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, the lower end of which is adapted to be connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal means and slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising,

a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,

a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,

releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween when engaged,

longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and

coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 including,

shearpin means on one of the body and the housing,

an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the shearpin, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means for releasing the locking means before the shearpin is sheared in the longitudinal slot.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 including,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 including,

coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including,

shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the body and housing together.

15. In a well packer adapted to set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel the lower end of which is adapted to be connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal means surrounding the mandrel, slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for extending the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising,

a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and iongitudinally slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,

a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,

ratchet engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement between the body and the mandrel when engaged,

longitudinally actuated wedge lock initially connected to the housing by a shearpin and initially locking the ratchet engaging means in engagement,

shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for longitudinally releasing the wedge lock thereby unlocking the ratchet means,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween, and

a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movements therebetween for releasing the packer but allowing both rotational and longitudinal movement to be transmitted below the packer.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 including,

shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for providing longitudinal downward movement to the wedge lock for reengaging the ratchet engaging means.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 including,

second shearpin means on one of the body and the housing,

10 an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the second shearpin, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing release of the wedge lock from the ratchet means without shearing the second shearpin in the longitudinal slot,

third shearpin means in one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the second shear means in the annular slot.

18. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal'means and slip means surroundingsaid mandrel, means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a bypass valve assembly comprising,

a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,

a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel,

a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel,

seal means between the body and the mandrel above the a first shear means in one of the body and the housing,

an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the first shear means, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the first shear means,

second shear means in the one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the first shear means in the annular slot,

19. The apparatus of claim 18 including,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing, said keyway being of a width such that when the key is positioned against one side of the keyway, the first shear means is aligned with the longitudinal slot.

20. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit for closing a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal means surrounding said mandrel, slip means surrounding and connected to the lower end of said mandrel and positioned below said packing seal means, hydraulically actuated packer seal expanding means surrounding the mandrel for expanding said seal means into engagement with said conduit, one-way clutch means between the mandrel and said seal-expanding means allowing one-way movement of the seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the seal means, hydraulically actuated slip-expanding means surrounding said mandrel and a portion of the seal-expanding means, one-way clutch means between the slip-expanding means and said sealexpanding means allowing one-way movement of the seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the slip means, coacting shoulders between the seal-expanding means and the slipexpanding means positioned so that when the seal-expanding means is lifted sufficiently the shoulders will contact and the slip-expanding means will disengage the slip means, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising,

a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and longitudinally slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel,

a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means,

releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel,

longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and

coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 including,

22. The apparatus of claim 20 including,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween,

a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 including,

coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means. 

1. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal means, slip means surrounding said mandrel, and means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising: a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel, a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means, releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel, releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including, coacting shoulder means between the body and the housing for retracting the housing from the packing seal means upon a predetermined longitudinal movement between the body and the housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including, shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the body and housing together.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including, a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel, seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass, shear means in one of the body and the housing, and a longitudinal slot in the other of the body and housing for slidably receiving the shear means, said slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the shear means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 including, pin means on one of the body and the housing, an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the pin means, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means for releasing the locking means before the pin reaches the lower end of the longitudinal slot.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including, shear means in one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the pin in the annular slot.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 including, coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing release of the packing seal means without longitudinally moving the mandrel.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 including, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing, a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel for transmitting motion to the mandrel.
 10. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, the lower end of which is adapted to be connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal means and slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising, a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel, a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means, releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween when engaged, longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.
 11. The appaRatus of claim 10 including, shearpin means on one of the body and the housing, an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the shearpin, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing mating of the coacting means for releasing the locking means before the shearpin is sheared in the longitudinal slot.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 including, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween, a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 including, coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 including, shear means between the body and the housing initially holding the body and housing together.
 15. In a well packer adapted to set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel the lower end of which is adapted to be connected to a well tubing, an initially retracted packing seal means surrounding the mandrel, slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for extending the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising, a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and longitudinally slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel, a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means, ratchet engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel for preventing longitudinal movement between the body and the mandrel when engaged, longitudinally actuated wedge lock initially connected to the housing by a shearpin and initially locking the ratchet engaging means in engagement, shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for longitudinally releasing the wedge lock thereby unlocking the ratchet means, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween, and a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movements therebetween for releasing the packer but allowing both rotational and longitudinal movement to be transmitted below the packer.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 including, shoulder means between the body and the wedge lock for providing longitudinal downward movement to the wedge lock for reengaging the ratchet engaging means.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 including, second shearpin means on one of the body and the housing, an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication with the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the second shearpin, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length for allowing release of the wedge lock from the ratchet means without shearing the second shearpin in the longitudinal slot, third shearpin means in one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the second shear means in the annular slot.
 18. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit disposed in a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal means and slip means surrounding said mandrel, means for expanding the slip means and the packing seal means into engagement with the conduit, the improvement in a bypass valve assembly comprising, a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel, a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel, a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel, seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass, a first shear means in one of the body and the housing, an annular slot and a longitudinal slot in communication witH the annular slot, both slots in the other of the body and the housing for slidably receiving the first shear means, said longitudinal slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the first shear means, second shear means in the one of the body and the housing initially preventing movement of the first shear means in the annular slot.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 including, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing, said keyway being of a width such that when the key is positioned against one side of the keyway, the first shear means is aligned with the longitudinal slot.
 20. In a well packer adapted to be set in a conduit for closing a well bore having a mandrel, an initially retracted packing seal means surrounding said mandrel, slip means surrounding and connected to the lower end of said mandrel and positioned below said packing seal means, hydraulically actuated packer seal expanding means surrounding the mandrel for expanding said seal means into engagement with said conduit, one-way clutch means between the mandrel and said seal-expanding means allowing one-way movement of the seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the seal means, hydraulically actuated slip-expanding means surrounding said mandrel and a portion of the seal-expanding means, one-way clutch means between the slip-expanding means and said seal-expanding means allowing one-way movement of the seal-expanding means in a direction to expand the slip means, coacting shoulders between the seal-expanding means and the slip-expanding means positioned so that when the seal-expanding means is lifted sufficiently the shoulders will contact and the slip-expanding means will disengage the slip means, the improvement in a releasing assembly comprising, a body adapted to be connected to a well tubing and longitudinally slidably engaging the upper end of the mandrel, a housing longitudinally slidable relative to the body and the mandrel and abutting the packing seal means, releasable engaging means connected between the housing and the mandrel, longitudinally actuated releasable locking means connected to the housing for locking and releasing the releasable engaging means, and coacting means between the body and the releasable locking means for releasing the locking means for releasing the engaging means.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 including, a fluid bypass in the body normally positioned below the top of the mandrel, seal means between the body and the mandrel above the bypass, shear means in one of the body and the housing, and a longitudinal slot in the other of the body and housing for slidably receiving the shear means, said slot being of a sufficient length to allow movement of the body relative to the mandrel to move the bypass above the mandrel without shearing the shear means.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20 including, a key and longitudinal keyway between the body and the housing allowing longitudinal movement therebetween, a key and longitudinal keyway between the housing and the mandrel allowing longitudinal movement therebetween.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 including, coacting means between the body and the locking means for reengaging the locking means with the engaging means. 